Alternatives to immunisations

[Doodlebug]

Heaven - thanks for that, think I'll ask for that one.

[Heaven]

Let me know if you find out you can just get the DTPa somehow!!

[Little Chicken]

Hi heaven,

Unfortunately it looks like the DTPa formulation without polio is no longer available in Australia. It was called Infanrix (you used to be able to get diptheria as a seperate immunisation, as well as tetanus by itself as well.) You can get polio by itself, but I do not know if the formulation is suitable for children. I actually remember giving infanrix with hep B formulation so it stopped being used sometime in the last 9 years.

The people to contact would be the health department in your state to see if it can be imported for you as you may need permission to do this.

This site lists the vaccinations that are registered here but are not available for use:

Immunise - Appendix 3: Products registered in Australia but not currently available - updated July 2009

And this one lists the contact numbers of the various authorities in each state:

Immunise - Appendix 1: Contact details for Australian, State and Territory Government health authorities and communicable disease control

I hope this was helpful to you.

[Persephone1]

I have to go and do a nappy-change, so I'm just subscribing so I can come back later!

[Heaven]

Thanks so much muminalice!!!! Very helpful.

[Heaven]

Ok, so I was at the Dr today bc DH had a Pertussis booster as he is travelling to see family for a funeral who may have recently had WC. Anyway, I asked about vax for DD again.

I was told you CAN get a separate tetanus vaccine for kids! The GP was sure. She looked it up and then went to ring someone else about it to ask how many doses to give (but couldn't get on to her).

They also told me I can get just the DTPa without polio!! They stock the Infanrix-IPV (by GlaxoSmithKline) there but I think the one they could order in is called Tripacel (by Sanofi Pasteur).

So, possibly some more options I didn't know I had.